Cold calling and window cleaning

I know of several window cleaners and carpet cleaners who have used this method of gaining new customers. I have my own carpet cleaning company but have not used this method of gaining new customers as although i have done cold calling many year's ago to gain beer money when I was a student it is not something that i would consider today. Personally I would not want someone knocking on my door, in fact round where i live there are quite a few area's round me where local by-law's forbid it. Not to say it does not work, just my personal take on it.

Another point you make is with regards to turning up when then wish, that may be due to the weather as generally windows can not been cleaned in extreme rain and cold so window cleaners need to adjust their work to fit around this.

Not sure where you are coming from with this post, are you looking to start up a window cleaning service in your area? or looking to offer a cold calling service for local companies? If you are looking to start up your own company you will find a lot more advice info on forum's like cleanitup and cleantalk.

I've only used window cleaners that either drop leaflets or call at the door ready to do it there and then.

I would not be looking to set up a direct debit, my window cleaner just leaves a card in the door when he's been and either calls back evening/weekend for cash or i post it. Primitive maybe, but a direct debit infers a once monthly visit that weather does not always permit.

Your comment re metered water is somewhat nieve, if you cant afford them to use your water do it yourself and save their fee and use it for your water bill. That said alot of cleaners now use minimal water systems or have water filters systems so will carry their own water tanks.

don't understand window cleaners, we've never had them cold call us in 8 yrs of living in quite a densely populated area where people are not short of a few bob. One window cleaner we had dissappeared never to return after I cracked a joke about not cleaning the UPVC frames. The one we have now is morose and I know if I insisted he use his own water, he'd be gone as well. And no, no debit payments either - they are cash people.

a strange breed

I get a lot if this and finally said yes to one about 6 months ago. We say him once then never again.

A good window cleaner is like a good plumber - incredibly hard to find!

Whilst I agree that weather can sometimes be a problem I think as long as they don't take the p!$$ they should be able to find a 'window' of opportunity (hehehe) to clean them!

Most deal in cash but I think a standing order arrangement would be far better for me personally, as I rarely have cash when they come knocking! I know this is a constant problem for them as they have to do 'the rounds' in the evening.... maybe a mix of both would benefit some cleaners and customers?

Oh, and yes, I would try them if they cold called, depending on first impression and price etc..

We had one cold call and took him up on the offer. £20 each time and he uses the water from his van with the long brush to do upstairs. He now comes every 4 weeks and just leaves a note through the door when he is done with his bank details and I pay him online. Perfect setup.


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I've been running my own window cleaning business for 7 years...

I built it up by "cold calling", or canvassing from door to door... And I still canvass for new work every now and again.

I carry pure water in my van and clean all windows (top and bottom) with the pure water system - I don't have to use the customers water at all.

People pay me with cash / cheque / bank transfer or credit/debit card via my website... I don't insist on cash at all, and in actual fact I prefer the bank transfer method.

Most of my customers are on an 8 weekly cycle, however I also clean some every 4 / 12 or 16 weeks.

I do clean in light / moderate rain - It causes no problems with the quality of the clean... But I don't work in heavy rain, so this can sometimes disrupt the schedule slightly, plus holidays etc.. mean that I don't clean a customers windows spot on the agreed frequency every time - this is never a problem.

You get a lot of people setting up as window cleaners thinking that it's quick easy money, they soon find out that its not and stop doing it... That's why you might experience them coming once or twice and then never turning up again - or they might price a job too cheaply, so won't bother coming back.

I'm based in Odiham, Hampshire and cover a 30 mile radius for domestic work - so if you are in that area and need a window cleaner give me a shout.

Andy

my next business will be window cleaning business and I find this thread very informative.

Forgot to mention earlier that one of the window cleaners I know has around 1,000 + customers and most pay via bac's, when his cleaners have cleaned the window they push bill / receipt through door with amount owed.

Get some decent flyers made up and show them to people before going door to door to test reaction.

Flyer your area.

A couple of weeks later, flyer again with a discount (if not discounted the first time).

Reflyer every X months.

You could add door knocking asking whether they received your flyer or not. If not, give them one. Either way, you get a response.

I'd indicate your reliability, insurances and any features you care to offer to make you stand out.

Strangely, I live within 30 miles of the guy posting about his cleaning business and yet I have never seen a cleaner in 3 years.

Talay said:

Get some decent flyers made up and show them to people before going door to door to test reaction.

Flyer your area.

A couple of weeks later, flyer again with a discount (if not discounted the first time).

Reflyer every X months.

You could add door knocking asking whether they received your flyer or not. If not, give them one. Either way, you get a response.

I'd indicate your reliability, insurances and any features you care to offer to make you stand out.

Strangely, I live within 30 miles of the guy posting about his cleaning business and yet I have never seen a cleaner in 3 years.

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Personally I would never offer a discount on a first clean... A first clean always takes longer, I actually charge more for a first clean...

I haven't got round to knocking on every door within a 30 mile radius Lol

Dont know if this helps but a recent article written for this industry sector. Aimed at the commercial sector though.


Depending on a cleaning company's preferences and setup, commercial contracts may be the Holy Grail for some folk. No more waiting for Mrs Bennett to remember to pay you the seven quid she still owes you and no more dealing with the hungry Rottie left parked in the back garden. Of course, if Mrs Bennett also owns a company as well, you're still in the do-do's!
So, how to attract commercial contracts? A well designed website is always a good start though pretty useless on its own to attract new business. Without successful SEO implementation, the site will remain off the radar. Links, articles, blogs and other social networking all help but need constant attention to keep yourselves bouncing up to the top of listing pages. Websites should be viewed as part of the bigger marketing objective.
Word of mouth will rarely work on the commercial side of the things as most will be perfectly happy to leave their competitors squandering in the dirt, smugly waving from their squeaky clean premises. Business is harsh - harsh but fair! Well-designed, sign-written vans may help, sandwich-boarding the chaps from across the road!*
Flyers, either leaflet dropped or emailed may be successful if you're lucky, but how do you know that they've reached the decision makers? As we all know, most end up in the bin or are directed to trash via the delete button or spam filter. All in all, this method lacks the control of getting past the receptionists' wicket keepers gloves!*
Cold calling is another route but again needs a good pair of Nike's to swerve past the receptionists attention only to find that the decision maker is in another bloody meeting. Also, with the price of petrol nowadays, a Segway or an electric Noddy car is a necessity!
So now we get to telemarketing, many of the problems apparent in the above are still there, it is just a question of damage limitation. Due to cheaper telephone services and without the need for Nike's (slippers will do) or even navigating a Segway over a kerbstone, telemarketing provides a relatively efficient method of marketing.
The downside of telemarketing is the cost of TPS and TPCS laws, unfortunately it is illegal to pick the Yellow Pages up and call prospects, willy-nilly.**Companies can be fined £5000 for calling companies that have opted out of unsolicited sales calls. The process of acquiring TPS checked phone numbers is relatively simple and there are several companies providing this service - at a price, though deals are available dependent on demand.
The advantages of contact via phone over the routes mentioned above is a question of control. The ability of the telemarketer to get past the first line of defence ie the receptionist is the first hurdle. Armed, only with a headset and slippers (flip flops will do) there is an improved chance that the defences can be breached in order to speak with the decision maker. If the decision maker is unavailable, telemarketers can then find an appropriate time to call back - the lead is not dead. This, in effect, is a direct improvement on the "straight to bin, trash or spam phenomenon".
Another advantage is the ability to create an on-going database of clients' requirements. Companies contracted to specific cleaners may reveal details of the current contract allowing you to "stick your nose in" at a time close to contract closure.
Cloud computing has also helped the telemarketers, especially if there are more than one person working for a client. Document sharing and the ability to update instantly simplifies the process by removing the need to work off multiple records. The client can also monitor the progress of the campaign as it happens and keep a check on how fast the flip flops are spinning.
A well designed PDF flyer raises the stakes even more for the telemarketer when dealing with bosses who are too busy or too far into their second sandwich. At least the info is reaching the target audience.
All in all, telemarketing offers an accurate record of a campaigns progress and can be referenced for future marketing strategies.*

Why not? If I could do with window cleaning and if I received a call about such a service, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot; provided I find their rates reasonable.

I use to canvass for a window cleaner and got him a good 100+ customers in the short space i did it.

Nice and simple pitch nothing too complicated or salesy

"Hi sorry to disturb you , do you have a W/c"

YES "Ok sorry to disturb you can I leave my leaflet just incase he lets you down"

NO " Would you like a window cleaner (slight pause) What we do is clean the windows from top to bottom using 00pm water which is cleaner than you drink , we'll do all the plastics around your window and then let it dry naturally for a crystal clear finish".

"do you want one ?"

YES "do you want us to include your doors too for an extra pound "

Yes/no

Sign them up there and then , get paid X2 the value of the clean by the window cleaner and not worry about it , if you plan it right like i did , ie get leaflets printed off your own back with your details on and use them NOT what the W/C uses youll find you gain A LOT more customers I posted a leaflet (the first batch) and within 15 minutes had a phonecall for a £15 clean !

Matt1959 said:

don't understand window cleaners, we've never had them cold call us in 8 yrs of living in quite a densely populated area where people are not short of a few bob. One window cleaner we had dissappeared never to return after I cracked a joke about not cleaning the UPVC frames. The one we have now is morose and I know if I insisted he use his own water, he'd be gone as well. And no, no debit payments either - they are cash people.

a strange breed

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I have only been window cleaning for a year and i mostly get paid by bank transfer ,always clean the frames and always turn up as close as possible to schedule. but i have had a lot of customers come to me because there window cleaner just disappeared without a trace . my most recent one said she made three appointments with companies she found online and none turned up , i was the fourth . I guess its like iconic said, people start up thinking its easy .